Tuesday, July 14, 2015

What I've Been Reading - June 2015

I just found out about this fantastic link up and since I've been devouring book after book during my period of funemployment, I thought I'd share what I've been reading and what I thought about those books!

Life According to Steph


When We Were Animals by Joshua Gaylord
Something in a small town makes teenagers run wild for a few nights every full moon. Interesting premise, but never really explains anything. I couldn't put it down because the writing was SO interesting, but the main character is unreliable and boring. The book also becomes highly predictable towards the end. Great writing, but the plot? Notsomuch.

Pittsburgh Dad: Everything Your Dad Has Said to You by Chris Preksta and Curt Wooten
I saw this in the bookstore and had to pick it up for part of my Father's Day gift to my dad. Hilarious quips and excerpts from conversations that will remind you of your dad, grandfathers, and great grandfathers. Also based off of a YouTube channel by the same name, the quotes are organized by topics ranging from Jurassic Park movies to Church picnics (where one of my favorite quotes is) to the Pittsburgh Steelers and everything else in between. Highly recommend for a quick, funny read and as a gift for anyone hilarious.

This is the first series I've had to wait for since Harry Potter (I had to wait for Allegiant, but I was able to read the first two Divergent books back to back). Anyway, I was first intrigued when my friend Macie told me about the first book last summer when Emma Watson, Hermione herself, signed on to produce and star in the movie. The first book is enthralling, albeit slow. The second book of the series moves much quicker and we start getting answers. Thrilled for the third book and the movies to come out so I can get more answers.

The Selection series is the epitome of a guilty pleasure. The books are well written and the characters from the first three books (and e-novellas) are so much fun to read. However, this fourth installment follows America and Maxen's daughter. She's self-centered, spoiled beyond belief considering who her parents were in the first three books, and changes entirely too rapidly in the end. It was a fun summer read, especially because I love this series and it gave one more glimpse into Illea, but it's definitely not America's Selection...

Paper Towns by John Green
I loved The Fault in Our Stars last year (book and movie) so the more I saw the movie previews for Paper Towns, the more I wanted to read the book - especially before the movie comes out. I was engrossed. The mystery surrounding selfish Margot Roth Spiegleman (and yes, you have to say her full name) is so interesting. I had to know what happened. My thoughts mirrored Quentin's throughout the book as he worked tirelessly to solve the mystery. In the end, I was a little let down, but overall I really enjoyed it. It's no Fault, but for my second John Green book, it was pretty good.

Love this link up, so I'll be back next month to tell you all about the books I read this month! Also, follow me on GoodReads to follow what I'm reading and what I've been reading the rest of the year!

7 comments:

SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph said...

I didn't like Paper Towns. But I loved Looking for Alaska by John Green. Not much comes close to Fault though. That book is a shooting star.

Thanks for linking up!

lisacng said...

I'm interested in Pittsburg Dads. Sorry, I'm not a John Green fan even though I read Fault, Alaska, and Paper Towns.

Rose @ Ramblin' Rose said...

I didn't love Paper Towns. Margot was such an annoyance to me. Obviously I liked Fault but I also enjoyed his earlier books too. I have the first Tearling book on my shelf but I'm waiting for them all to come out to read. I hate waiting for books in a series to be released!

Jana @ Jana Says said...

I am SO glad you loved Paper Towns because I was starting to feel all alone in blogland as the only one who enjoyed it. The only book of John Green's I haven't liked is An Abundance of Katherines. Just no on that one for me.

Thanks for linking up!

Nicole Marica said...

I've been avoiding picking up Paper Towns, I liked The Fault in Our Stars but I felt like John Green was over hyped. then I read Looking for Alaska and hated it and so now I'm afraid I'll hate all of Green's books!

Erin of TexErin-in-SydneyLand said...

For me, the fun of this link-up is reading different perspectives on the same book...such as Paper Towns. I keep see-sawing whether I want to read it or not. You've now got me wanting to read it again.

Kate @ Another Clean Slate said...

Paper Towns is one I have been wanting to read. I didn't know a movie was coming out so I better get on it.